Device for simulating a hand hewn surface

ABSTRACT

A device for mechanically creating a &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;hand hewn&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; effect on wood planking, such that the treated surface is provided with a plurality of arcuately-shaped, randomly spaced indentations resembling the cuts of an adze. The device includes a frame element forming a generally horizontal supporting plane for serially fed planks. Disposed beneath the plane is a plurality of rotatably driven cutters having radially positioned blades which successively contact the undersurface of the plank as it is advanced at a substantially uniform rate to cut the surface thereof. First means is provided to randomly shift the cutters along an axis perpendicular to that of the path of movement of the planks, and second means is provided to simultaneously randomly move the cutting edges of the blades in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the plank to vary the depth of cut. Means is provided for subsequently sanding the treated surface and for optionally slitting the plank longitudinally.

United States Patent 1 1 Halop 1451 Sept. 4, 1973 DEVICE FOR SlMULATlNG A HAND HEWN [57] ABSTRACT SURFACE A device for mechanically creating a hand hewn" cf- [75] Inventor: Richard Halop, Glen Cove, N.Y. feet on wood planking, such that the treated surface is provided with a plurality of arcuately-shaped, ran- [73] Asslgnee' Timbercn Farmmgdale domly spaced indentations resembling the cuts of an [22] Filed: June 5, 1972 adze. The device includes a frame element forming a generally horizontal supporting plane for serially fed [211 App! 263349 planks. Disposed beneath the plane is a plurality of rotatably driven cutters having radially positioned blades [52] US. Cl. 144/3 R, 144/2 R, 144/136 R, which successively contact the undersurface of the 144/309 A, 144/323, 144/326 plank as it is advanced at a substantially uniform rate [51] Int. Cl. B27c 5/02, 1327c 9/00 to cut the surface thereof. First means is provided to [58] Field of Search 144/136 R, 323, 326, randomly shift the cutters along an axis perpendicular 144/2 R, 3 R, 309 A, 114 to that of the path of movement of the planks, and second means is provided to simultaneously randomly [56] References Cited move the cutting edges of the blades in a direction per- UNITED STATES PATENTS pendicular to the plane of the plank to vary the depth 585 886 7/1897 Lerch 1 44/136 R of cut. Means is provided for subsequently sanding the 3,234978 2/1966 144,136 R treated surface and for optionally slitting the plank lon- 3,353,574 11/1967 Kvalheim etal... 144/2 R glmdmally- 3,495,638 2/1970 Humphrey 144/136 R 3,703,198 11/1972 Luebs et al. 144/2 R I 3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures Primary Examiner-Donald R. Schran I Attorney-Charles E. Temko 47 z? 8 46 42* 45) J0 i- 1 1 l L rei C \L'f A? 4/ 25 Z y /74Z /f 4 4 o 44 42 0 7 ,means 17,

DEVICE FOR SIMULATING A HAND HEWN SURFACE This invention relates generally to the field of surface treatment of planar building materials, and more particularly to an improved device for producing a simulated hand hewn effect on the surface of wood planking. Devices of this general class are known in the art, and the invention lies in specific constructional details which permit the obtaining of a realistic effect.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The most pertinent art is exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 117,978 granted to James W. Campbell Aug. 15, 1871. The disclosure relates to a carving machine adapted to operate on wood strips to create a carved effect known as rustic stem, a particular description of carved work used for picture frames. The device includes a cutter head which has a threefold motion, namely a revolving one around an axis arranged at right angles or nearly so to the direction in which the wood or strip to be carved is fed through the machine, a lateral move ment in a direction of the length of said axis, and a vibrating or up and down movement relative to the work as it passes under the cutter head. The Stolesen, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,234,978 granted Feb. 15, 1966 discloses an apparatus for texturing building panels in a manner somewhat analagous to that disclosed herein, but producing a substantially uniform shiplap type of effect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary schematic side elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic top plan view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a schematic end elevational view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlargedtransverse sectional view thereof as seen from the plane 4-4 inFIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged longitudinal sectional view as seen from the plane 5--5 in FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view in elevation showing a treated surface produced by the device.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, comprises broadly: a principal frame element 11, plank feeding means 12, plank retrieving means 13, first and second cutter shifting means 14 and 15, respectively, sanding and slitting means 18.

The frame element 11 is preferably of welded steel construction, and includes a plurality of vertical leg 2 members 20, lower horizontal members 21, medially positioned horizontal members 22, upper horizontal members 23 and transverse members 24.

The plank feeding means 12 may be in the form of a simple conveyor, including a horizontally arranged frame 28 having a plurality of rollers 29 over which individual planks 30 are moved. The retrieving means 13 corresponds thereto, including a similar frame 33 and rollers 34.

The rotary cutter elements, as shown in FIG. 2 are five in number, and are supported upon one of three subframes 40 arranged for selective transverse movement relative to the frame element 11 by sliding upon fixed transverse members 41. Each subframe includes a plurality of vertical members 42, the upper ends 43 of which are provided with sliding collars. Horizontal members 44 support approximately vertically oriented motors 45, the output shafts 46 of which extend upwardly and support circular plates 47 mounting a plurality of radially arranged blades 48 adapted to contact the undersurface 49 of the planks 30.

The first shifting means provides for transverse movements of the subframes 40 on a random basis. To this end, there is provided a longitudinally extending shaft 52 having a plurality of cam wheels 53, each of which engages a respective follower 54 on a pivotally mounted arm 55. Each arm includes a horizontal link 56 connected to the subframe 40, and a spring 57 urges the follower 54 into contact with the wheel 53. An end 58 of the shaft 52 mounts a sprocket 59 driven by a chain 60 and trained on a sprocket 61 on a shaft 62. A driving sprocket 63 on the shaft 62 interconnects with a prime mover 64 which also drives the means 15.

Referring to FIG. 5, the means 15 serves to shift the individual cutter elements 14 upwardly or downwardly relative to the planks being treated, by pivoting the subframes 40 about a horizontal axis against the force of gravity. The means includes a longitudinally arranged shaft 66 having a sprocket 67 on a free end thereof driven by a chain 68 simultaneously with the means 15. The shaft 66 mounts a plurality of cog wheels 69 which bear upon a pivotally mounted part of the subframes 40. As seen in FIG. 5, the part 70 includes a plurality of vertical members 71 and 72, and horizontal members 73 and 74. A cam follower extension 75 normally lies in the path of travel of the respective cog wheel 69.

During operation, individual planks are positioned upon the feeding means 12 and are manually advanced to the frame element 11. Weighted rollers 78 maintain the planks 30 within the cutting plane defined by rollers 29 which may be either driven at a constant speed, or are rotated by the movement of the planks which they support. As the boards emerge from the leftwardmost of the cutters (FIG. 1) they are subject to the action of the sanding means 17 which may be of a type well know in the art, and which serves to remove loose wood chips, and provide a smooth non-planar surface unlikely to cause splinters. Where relatively narrow planks are provided, the slitting means 18 may be positioned within the path of the planks to subdivide the width of the same, following which the planks pass on to the retrieval means 113 for subsequent manual removal. The planks may then be subsequently finished as desired, as for example, by staining, varnishing or other suitable treatment.

FIG. 6 illustrates the surface of a finished plank which is characterized by a series of randomly positioned arcuately shaped indentations 81 of cupped cross section. It may be noted that this cupped cross section is obtained by the fact that the plank is moving as it is cut with a rotary motion having a component which is transverse to the axis of movement. As a plurality of cutting edges are present on each cutter, the edge of the depression deepens progressively as the cut proceeds, until the cutter is allowed to fall free from contact with the surface of the plank being cut. it is this action which distinguishes the disclosed device from those taught in the prior art, in which the cutting action proceeds in a direction parallel to the axis of movement of the work, even though relative movement of the cutting edge may take place in a direction perpendicular to the axis of movement of the work.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. A device for simulating hand hewing on an exposed surface of a plank comprising: a frame element having a principal longitudinal axis, and a planar plank supporting means, means for successively feeding planking to and transporting the same along said frame element parallel to said principal longitudinal axis, a

plurality of subframes carried by said frame element, a plurality of rotating cutter elements, each having a substantially vertical axis of rotation carried by said subframes, each cutter element having a radially arranged cutter thereon selectively projecting into the plane of said plank supporting means, first means for randomly reciprocating said subframes transversely of said principal longitudinal axis of said frame element, and second means for pivoting said subframes relative to said frame element about an axis perpendicular to said principal longitudinal axis to result in moving said radially arranged cutters into and out of the plane of said plank supporting means; said first and second means operating in independent random fashion, whereby planks moving parallel to said principal ongitudinal axis upon said frame element are subjected to arcuate cutting motions at random periodic intervals resulting in the formation of a plurality of cup-shaped depressions at randomly spaced intervals.

2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, including means for sanding the cut surface of a plank at the completion of a cutting operation.

3. Structure in accordance with claim 2, including means for slitting a plank longitudinally at the completion of the sanding operation. 

1. A device for simulating hand hewing on an exposed surface of a plank comprising: a frame element having a principal longitudinal axis, and a planar plank supporting means, means for successively feeding planking to and transporting the same along said frame element parallel to said principal longitudinal axis, a plurality of subframes carried by said frame element, a plurality of rotating cutter elements, each having a substantially vertical axis of rotation carried by said subframes, each cutter element having a radially arranged cutter thereon selectively projecting into the plane of said plank supporting means, first means for randomly reciprocating said subframes transversely of said principal longitudinal axis of said frame element, and second means for pivoting said subframes relative to said frame element about an axis perpendicular to said principal longitudinal axis to result in moving said radially arranged cutters into and out of the plane of said plank supporting means; said first and second means operating in independent random fashion, whereby planks moving parallel to said principal ongitudinal axis upon said frame element are subjected to arcuate cutting motions at random periodic intervals resulting in the formation of a plurality of cup-shaped depressions at randomly spaced intervals.
 2. Structure in accordance with claim 1, including means for sanding the cut surface of a plank at the completion of a cutting operation.
 3. Structure in accordance with claim 2, including means for slitting a plank longitudinally at the completion of the sanding operation. 